Democratic Erosion University Course Student Blog

Students enrolled in our course are encouraged to write for the course blog, and to read and comment on posts from students at other participating universities. The blog offers students the opportunity to analyze current events through the lens of the theory and case studies they engage with through the course.

Authoritarianism in Singapore: Challenging Narratives of a Benevolent British Empire

British imperialism is often credited with spreading democracy, but Singapore’s colonial past shows how it can also lay the groundwork for enduring authoritarianism.

You Can’t Sit with Us: The Practice of Democratic Gatekeeping and How It Has Saved Democracies

At the 11th hour of the 2024 election many Republican politicians and members of congress took a stance against Republican candidate, Donald Trump. Through the “Republicans for Harris” tagline, they urged their supporters through various forms of appeals to vote...

The Erosion of an Already Weak Democracy: The Rise and Fall of Jovenel Moïse

Jovenel Moïse's presidency marked a dangerous shift from Haiti's already shaky democracy to overt authoritarianism. Delayed elections, unchecked abuse of executive power, and violent suppression of resistance became the norm. By the time of his assassination in 2021,...

Polarization is Here, and You Can Find It on Your College Campus

Oct 11, 2024 | Ohio State University

Signs of polarization are everywhere, including in your classroom and student organizations. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a meeting of Ohio State...

A Local Stage For Big Issues

Oct 11, 2024 | Ohio State University

Ohio’s state government is one of the most radically and staunch conservative enclaves in the United States. Yet their constituents do not quite align with this message and...

Continued Conflict in Ukraine

May 16, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

Continued Conflict in Ukraine As of late April, Ukraine has now been subject to this most recent military occupation by Russia for about two months. Under President Vladimir Putin, the Russian...

The Partisan Divide of American Media

May 15, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

On April 21st, 2022, President Joe Biden unveiled the latest program of the Department of Homeland Security, Uniting for Ukraine. Under this new program, Ukrainian refugees can receive a 2-year...

Rodrigo Duterte’s Autocratic Regime and Democratic Erosion in the Philippines

May 14, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

As President Rodrigo Duterte’s six-year term comes to an end, this could mean positive change for democracy in the Philippines. Duterte’s autocratic regime and his war on drugs have threatened...

The Gauche Left: Why Can’t French Leftists Place in Round 2, and Why Does It Matter?

May 14, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

On April 24, French President Emmanuel Macron won the second round of the French presidential election, winning both a second term in office and a second campaign against rival Marine Le Pen. The...

Do Protests Do More Harm Than Good?

May 13, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

It is well accepted that protests are vital for a thriving democracy. They are viewed as an avenue for social change, in fact, other than voting they are one of the few other ways to voice your...

Mexico: Politics of Performance

May 13, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

The result of the referendum was never in doubt. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (better known as AMLO), the president of Mexico, knew this. That is why he called it. Only around 19% of those who could...

Why Are Protests in Haiti Not Working?

May 13, 2022 | SUNY-Binghamton

Whenever you read the news it seems like there is always a protest going on in Haiti. The most recent protest that took place in March addressed the rising insecurity of the country. Current...

Democratic Erosion and Minority Rights in the United States

May 12, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

The constitution, written in 1787, is considered a failproof document that lays the very foundations for democracy. The document was intended to be amendable and reconstructed throughout time....

Relative Political Posturing in the French Run-Off Election Has Eroded French Democracy

May 12, 2022 | University of California, San Diego

With Emmanuel Macron’s 2022 electoral victory over Marine Le Pen, it might be tempting to view the current iteration of Fifth Republic politics as a continuation of the status quo of French...